Ascot past student Maggie James has been recognised by St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School for a career shaped by music, clinical care and service to critically ill children at Queensland Children’s Hospital.
Ascot Past Student Honoured at Awards Dinner
Maggie James, nee Leung, from the St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School class of 1997, was named the 2026 Spirit of Service Past Student Award recipient at the school’s Past Student Awards Dinner in March.
The award was introduced in 2024 to recognise alumni whose work demonstrates servant leadership, contribution and service to others. James was honoured alongside Professor Catherine Greenhill from the class of 1987, who received the Distinguished Past Student Award, and Natalie Charlton from the class of 2012, who received the Young Past Student of Distinction Award.
The evening brought together Old Girls, current students and members of the St Margaret’s community. Music also formed part of the event, with performances by the Sculthorpe String Quartet and Year 7 student Minh, who performed a solo cello piece accompanied by Mr Ng.
For James, the award recognised a career that has taken music from the school environment into hospital rooms, where it forms part of care for children and families facing serious illness.
From St Margaret’s Music Rooms to Hospital Care
James is a Paediatric Music Therapist and Clinical Lead of the Music Therapy Department at Queensland Children’s Hospital. She has spent 23 years with Children’s Health Queensland.
Her work centres on children who are seriously unwell, including patients in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit and some receiving palliative care. In that setting, music therapy is used to support pain management, rehabilitation, emotional expression and regulation of heart rate and breathing.
James’ pathway into the field began with a long-standing connection to music. She began playing piano at the age of two and later studied Music Therapy at The University of Queensland. Her interest developed into a specialised clinical career focused on how music can support sick children and their families during treatment and recovery.
Her work includes singing, music listening, songwriting, music-making and the use of instruments. Sessions are adapted to the needs and condition of each child.
In one example from her clinical work, James used percussion instruments and a rearranged children’s song as part of therapy for a toddler recovering from an acquired brain injury. The therapy supported movement goals for the child’s right arm and hand alongside physiotherapy.
Music Therapy Work Beyond Brisbane
James’ work has also extended beyond Queensland Children’s Hospital.
Her specialisation in neurologic music therapy in paediatric intensive care has taken her into volunteer roles in critical-care orphanages in China, involvement with the Board of the Butterfly Children’s Hospice, and participation in the International Conference on Children’s Music Therapy in Norway.
She has also completed an MBA at The University of Queensland, extending her leadership work in the field. Her focus includes developing sustainable and equitable music therapy services for children and families.
St Margaret’s Connection Continues
The Ascot past student’s connection with St Margaret’s has continued through family and music.
James’ daughters began their own time at St Margaret’s this year. A collaboration has also begun between the school and Queensland Children’s Hospital, with the St Margaret’s Primary Choir and String Quartet set to perform for children and families in hospital care.
The recognition places James among the school’s past students whose careers have continued into service-focused work beyond the school gates.
Published 25-June-2026
